There’s a clear message emerging from Scotland’s latest local governance reforms: if we are serious about community empowerment, then power needs to shift closer to people and places. 

The Democracy Matters Route Map and the renewed commitment from Scottish Government and COSLA set out an ambition to do just that. But this isn’t only about new structures or processes. It’s about changing how decisions are made, who makes them, and how communities shape the future around them. 

For the third sector, this moment matters. 

We are already embedded in our communities—supporting participation, building trust, and delivering local solutions. Increasingly, policy is recognising that role. The direction of travel is clear: the sector is not just there to contribute, but to enable, connect and help shape what happens next. 

That brings opportunity but also responsibility. 

Without the right support, investment and focus on inclusion, there is a risk that change could deepen existing inequalities rather than address them. Community empowerment only works if every community has the capacity to participate meaningfully. 

In East Renfrewshire, the Third Sector Forum is the key route for collective influence, bringing organisations together to shape priorities and engage effectively with local decision-making. 

This is why it’s important that, as a sector, we engage early, work collectively, and keep equity at the centre of how reform is implemented. 

We’ve developed a short policy briefing to explore what these reforms could mean in practice for third sector organisations, the opportunities ahead, and the key risks to watch. 

👉 Download and read the full briefing here to understand what’s changing and how your organisation can respond

💡Get in touch to sign up to the East Ren Third Sector Forum: luana.ackermann-taylor@va-er.org.uk